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William Shakespeare Resources

Q: What are the best Shakespeare lesson plans for K-12 teachers?

Storyboard That offers a variety of Shakespeare lesson plans designed for K-12 educators, including activities for literary analysis, character studies, and thematic exploration. These resources help teachers make classic plays accessible and engaging for students.

Q: How can I teach anti-bullying using Shakespeare's plays?

You can integrate anti-bullying activities with Shakespeare lessons by connecting themes from plays like The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing to real-life scenarios. Storyboard That provides resources to help students understand and address bullying through literature.

Q: Are there quick and easy Shakespeare activities for elementary classrooms?

Yes, Storyboard That features quick and easy Shakespeare activities suitable for elementary classrooms, such as storyboarding scenes, vocabulary exercises, and simple character analysis. These activities make Shakespeare fun and approachable for younger students.

Q: What is the difference between teaching Shakespeare’s original texts and film adaptations?

Teaching original Shakespeare texts focuses on language, historical context, and literary devices, while film adaptations make the stories more relatable and visually engaging. Combining both helps students better understand themes and character motivations.

Q: Where can I find free resources for teaching Shakespeare?

You can find free teacher resources for Shakespeare on Storyboard That, including lesson plans, activity ideas, and printable worksheets. These resources are designed to save time and enhance classroom engagement.

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William Shakespeare is one of the best-known English authors in all of history. Take a look at the teacher resources available on Storyboard That, from literary analysis lesson plans for Shakespeare's plays to anti bullying activities that can be taught in tandem to works like The Taming of the Shrew or Much Ado About Nothing, as well as their film adaptations.

Twelfth Night Play by William Shakespeare

Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale

Twelfth Night is a lighter piece by William Shakespeare, and a good break from the usual tragedies and histories he is most well-known for. Students are likely to laugh at this play, be intrigued by the themes of deceit, disorder, madness, the triviality of love, and wonder at the implausibility of such a case of mistaken identity ever happening today!

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale

The Tempest is often considered to be the last work that William Shakespeare wrote by himself. It is an enchanting play to read and watch, as Prospero wields his magic powers, aided by the fiery spirit Ariel, to right a wrong done to him by his own brother 12 years before.

King Lear by William Shakespeare

Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale

King Lear is one of the most complex plays written by Shakespeare, with its many characters, disguises, and surprising outcomes. HE examines universal themes such as the dangers of foolishness and manipulation, the consequences of greed, and the bittersweet happiness of redemption and reconciliation.

The Tragedy of Richard III by William Shakespeare

Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale

The Tragedy of Richard III remains one of the most chilling tales of the potential destructiveness of a man’s ambition and pride. Engage students with Storyboard That's premade activities and lesson plan ideas!

The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice Teacher Guide

Lesson Plans by Rebecca Ray

If you haven't read The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare yet, you are in for a crazy soap opera of lies and suspicion! In Othello, racism, jealousy, and prejudice all culminate with sorrow and murder. Captivate your students and keep them on track with this tricky plot!

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Lesson Plans by Rebecca Ray

Fearing Rome would lose its democracy under the rule of Caesar, Brutus agrees to kill his friend in the name of Rome. Conspiring with other senators, Brutus and Cassius stab Caesar to death Caesar on the day of his coronation. Julius Caesar famously says, "Et tu, Brute?" indicating his deep feeling of betrayal.

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare

Lesson Plans by Rebecca Ray

One of the most quoted lines of Shakespeare comes from Hamlet: "To be or not to be, that is the question!" Inspire and engage your students with captivating storyboards as you teach The Tragedy of Hamlet, a dark tale of a prince consumed by revenge.

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Lesson Plans by Rebecca Ray

Despite being one of Shakespeare's most popular works, A Midsummer Night's Dream can be a tough play to follow. It contains four plots, and as Puck's work unfolds, things can get a little strange. Watch your students master this comedy and become pros with Shakespeare!

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Lesson Plans by Rebecca Ray

This play is about two star-crossed lovers from feuding families, who take their own lives. Through a series of unfortunate events, fate and chance turn against the lovers. Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, marry in secret, but are soon separated. The two die tragically in one of the most famous examples of dramatic irony.

The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Lesson Plans by Rebecca Ray

The shortest (and one of the bloodiest) of Shakespeare's tragedies, the play begins with victory and honors for the brave Scottish general, Macbeth. The play follows Macbeth's descent from noble soldier to nefarious traitor.

How Tos about William Shakespeare Resources

How to introduce Shakespeare to students who feel intimidated by his language

Start with relatable themes. Connect Shakespeare's stories to themes your students already understand, like friendship or rivalry. This helps break down barriers and sparks interest.

Use short, modern translations before the original text

Share simple summaries. Give students a brief, modern version of a scene before reading Shakespeare's words. This builds confidence and context.

Act out scenes with simple props and costumes

Bring Shakespeare to life. Encourage students to use props and costumes for quick performances. Active participation makes the text more accessible and fun.

Highlight common words and phrases in Shakespeare’s works

Make vocabulary visible. Post a list of frequently used Shakespearean words on the board. Discuss their meanings and have students spot them in the text.

Encourage students to create comic strips summarizing scenes

Visualize learning. Ask students to draw comic strips that retell key scenes. This supports comprehension and engages creative thinkers.

Frequently Asked Questions about William Shakespeare Resources

What are the best Shakespeare lesson plans for K-12 teachers?

Storyboard That offers a variety of Shakespeare lesson plans designed for K-12 educators, including activities for literary analysis, character studies, and thematic exploration. These resources help teachers make classic plays accessible and engaging for students.

How can I teach anti-bullying using Shakespeare's plays?

You can integrate anti-bullying activities with Shakespeare lessons by connecting themes from plays like The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing to real-life scenarios. Storyboard That provides resources to help students understand and address bullying through literature.

Are there quick and easy Shakespeare activities for elementary classrooms?

Yes, Storyboard That features quick and easy Shakespeare activities suitable for elementary classrooms, such as storyboarding scenes, vocabulary exercises, and simple character analysis. These activities make Shakespeare fun and approachable for younger students.

What is the difference between teaching Shakespeare’s original texts and film adaptations?

Teaching original Shakespeare texts focuses on language, historical context, and literary devices, while film adaptations make the stories more relatable and visually engaging. Combining both helps students better understand themes and character motivations.

Where can I find free resources for teaching Shakespeare?

You can find free teacher resources for Shakespeare on Storyboard That, including lesson plans, activity ideas, and printable worksheets. These resources are designed to save time and enhance classroom engagement.

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